Super Summer Snacks: Unique Recipes for the Kids

With summer usually comes late nights. My children love to stay outdoors later in the summer with the daylight lasting longer each day. It seems that time for snacks and time for cooking is often limited. We usually end up using leftovers or searching for easy recipes. While it is important to stay hydrated with great drinks, such as lemonade, do not forget the snacks and meals! It is important to find recipes that are quick and loved by your family. In this article, you will find both. The recipes below are wonderful for summer days and are sure to be loved by any child!

Hot Doggity Tacos

Ingredients

1 small onion finely chopped

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper sauce or Worcestershire sauce

4 frankfurters chopped

1 can red kidney or black beans drained

1 8 oz can of tomato sauce

1 teaspoon chili powder

8 taco shells heated

1 cup French fried onions

Garnish such as diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sliced olives, sour cream, shredded cheese

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a 12 inch nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Cook the onion for 3 minutes or until it is crisp-tender. Stir in the cayenne pepper sauce the frankfurters, the beans, the tomato sauce, and the chili powder. Bring to a boil. Reduce to medium low heat and cook for five minutes stirring periodically.

Serve by spooning chili into taco shells. Garnish as desired. Sprinkle French fired onions on tops.

Froze Chocolate Covered bananas

Ingredients

2 ripe medium size bananas

4 wooden Popsicle sticks

½ cup low fat granola cereal without raisins

1/3 cup hot fudge sauce

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper

Peel bananas. Cut each in half crosswise. Insert a wooden stick about 1 ½ inches into center of each cut end.

Place granola in a large plastic bag and crush slightly. Pour granola onto a plate. Pour fudge sauce into a small bowl.

Place one banana in fudge sauce. Cover the banana with the sauce. Place the banana on the granola plate. Carefully turn the banana to coat with granola.

Place the bananas on the baking sheet and put into the freezer.

Freeze until the fudge sauce is firm (at least 2 hours). Place on a small plate and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Cool Sandwich Snacks

Ingredients

10 whole graham crackers or chocolate graham crackers, cracked in half

½ cup chocolate fudge sauce

1 tub Cool Whip whipped topping (8 oz) thawed

Garnishes such as sprinkles, assorted candies, crushed cookies, chocolate chunks, chopped nuts, or coconut

Spread ½ of the graham crackers lightly with chocolate sauce. Spread whipped topping about ¾ inch thick on remaining ½ of the graham crackers. Press the graham crackers together lightly, making sandwiches. Roll or lightly press edges in garnishes.

Freeze for 4 hours or overnight.

Funny Face Sandwich Melts

Ingredients

2 super size English muffins split and toasted

8 teaspoons French's Sweet and Tasty Honey Mustard

1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, drained

8 oz sliced smoked ham (or other sandwich meat)

4 slices of Swiss cheese or white American cheese

Place English muffin cut side up on baking sheet. Spread each with 2 teaspoons mustard. Arrange one fourth of the pineapple, ham and cheese on top. Divide evenly.

Broil until the cheese melts about 1 minute. Decorate with mustard and assorted vegetables to create a funny face. Try carrot shaving hair, cucumber eyes, black olive eyelashes and pupils.